Besides Respiratory Health, What Else is Quercetin Good For?
Quercetin is a plant pigment that is known for being an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and that is particularly well known for its respiratory benefits. But these are by no means the only health benefits of quercetin. This compound, found in widely consumed veggies and fruits such as onions, kale, apples, and berries, and offers a whole host of benefits for numerous bodily systems.
This article will describe ten of the most significant benefits of quercetin, from its better-known antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory effects to its lesser-known positive effects on serious and widespread conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Antioxidant Properties
Quercetin is a flavonoid, which means that it is an antioxidant and may be able to fight back against the systemic damage that free radicals cause by neutralizing them. By reducing the body’s overall load of oxidative stress, quercetin supplementation may lower the risk of developing an array of chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, neurological disease, kidney disease, and more.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Another one of the better-known quercetin health benefits is the fact that it is an anti-inflammatory.
Because quercetin can help to stabilize histamine-releasing cells throughout the body, it may have an anti-inflammatory as well as an antihistamine effect (more on these properties below).
Cardiovascular Health Benefits
Flavonoids include not only quercetin, but also resveratrol and catechins (all of which are found in red wine), are believed to lower atherosclerosis risk. This protective mechanism is not fully understood, but flavonoids are believed to protect against the damage caused by LDL cholesterol (or “bad” cholesterol), potentially lowering risk of heart disease. More studies will be needed to understand and confirm these benefits in the case of flavonoid supplements, rather than in the better-studied case of dietary flavonoid consumption.
Effects of Quercetin on Blood Pressure Regulation
There are numerous studies that demonstrate that one of supplemental quercetin’s benefits is lowering the blood pressure of those suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure). In particular, it has been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure (the top number in the blood pressure measurement), but not diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number). These effects may be attributable to quercetin-related reductions in oxidative stress, improvements in vascular (blood vessel) function, and impacts on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (a hormonal system that is thought to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance).
Cognitive Function and Neuroprotection
Animal studies have shown that quercetin can improve cognitive function, which suggests that it may also reduce neuroinflammation-related damage and thereby improve brain health in humans. Unfortunately, the neuroprotective (i.e., brain-protecting) benefits of quercetin in humans have not yet been clearly demonstrated in research, but animal models are quite promising.
Anti-Cancer Properties
Quercetin has been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of many different kinds of cancer, including prostate, colon, lung, breast, and cervical cancers. More recent research suggests that it’s possible that quercetin could have this anti-cancer effect via two possible mechanisms: by preventing cell proliferation through apoptosis (a type of programmed cell death) and/or through cell cycle arrest (when the cell is prevented from continuing its cycle and dividing).
Skin Health Benefits
Quercetin skin benefits may be significant and wide ranging, with the potent compound offering protection against damage from UV radiation, histamine, and toxic chemicals. In addition, quercetin may reduce skin inflammation and restore skin barrier function while increasing skin hydration.
Potential Anti-Diabetic Effects
Although there is quite a bit of in-vitro (i.e., test tube) and in-vivo (i.e., in live animals) research showing that quercetin could have anti-diabetic effects, there has not been research using quercetin in human subjects with diabetes.
Possible Anti-Allergic Properties
Using quercetin for allergies is another potential application for this compound. Test tube studies show that quercetin blocks immune cells’ release of histamines, which suggests that it could reduce allergy symptoms. But there is not yet evidence that quercetin works against allergies in human bodies.
Gut Health and Microbiome Support
Quercetin could help to improve the balance of the gut microbiome by increasing populations of beneficial microbes while reducing populations of pathogens. It may also benefit intestinal health by reducing inflammation of the intestines and improving their barrier function.
The Best Quercetin Supplement
There are countless supplements to select among on the market, which begs the question: how do you identify the best quercetin supplements? Although it is possible to get quercetin from one’s diet, through regular consumption of flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables, quercetin supplements can be a helpful addition to fill in any dietary gaps.
The issue with selecting among all of the available products is that quercetin supplements can vary in their quality and, by extension, in their efficacy. In particular, look for a quercetin supplement that incorporates evidence-based supportive compounds that increase the bioavailability of the quercetin, maximizing the extensive health benefits described in this post.
Body Kitchen’s Mega NAC + Quercetin Supplement is an example of a supplement that utilizes the synergy between quercetin and other compounds that increases its bioavailability. In addition, this supplement utilizes a mixture of the highest-quality ingredients, further maximizing the benefits of supplementing with quercetin. Along with 600 mg of quercetin dihydrate, Mega NAC + Quercetin also contains a patented form of black pepper extract called Bioperine, which has been clinically demonstrated to increase bioavailability and nutrient absorption by thirty percent or more. This means that there is more quercetin available to be used by the body, increasing the supplemental quercetin’s antioxidant properties, anti-cancer benefit, blood pressure regulation, improvements to skin health, reduction of inflammation, and other positive health effects and potential benefits.
In addition to quercetin and Bioperine, Mega NAC + Quercetin incorporates 600 mg of pure N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). N-acetyl cysteine may help to increase the production of glutathione, a compound that is one of the body’s most important antioxidants. In addition, N-acetyl cysteine may also help to support the lungs during periods of respiratory stress by acting as an expectorant, which means that it helps clear mucus from the airways and thereby relieves respiratory congestion.
Mega NAC + Quercetin contains a potent combination of beneficial ingredients that can promote respiratory function, support detoxification via the liver, neutralize damaging free radicals, and much more, as the list of likely health benefits above demonstrates.
Speak to a Doctor Before Taking a Quercetin Supplement
Quercetin is considered to be safe for the majority of people. Before adding a supplement such as quercetin to your daily regimen, it is important to speak with a qualified medical professional who is familiar with your medical situation to confirm that quercetin is an appropriate choice and will not result in any medication interactions or serious side effects.
In particular, those who should not take quercetin include pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as people who suffer from kidney disease. Keep in mind that side effects of quercetin may include headache and upset stomach, and that it is recommended to take periodic breaks from taking quercetin. Prescription medications that interact with quercetin include certain antibiotics (e.g., fluoroquinolones), anticoagulants (e.g., aspirin, warfarin), chemotherapy, corticosteroids, and medications that are changed by the liver.